The Everlasting Covenant (Isaiah 24:5)

2023-06-14

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. (Isaiah 24:5)

What everlasting covenant is being spoken of here?

Here are some “everlasting covenants”:

  1. The Noahic Covenant. “And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth” (Genesis 9:16).
  2. The Abrahamic Covenant. “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:7-8).
  3. The Sabbath. “Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant” (Exodus 31:16)
  4. The Aaronic Priesthood. Speaking in the context of Phinehas’ zeal against idolatry and fornication at Baalpeor: “And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel” (Numbers 25:13).
  5. The Davidic Covenant. “Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow” (2 Samuel 23:5)
  6. The New Covenant. “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3).

Because Isaiah 24:5 speaks of all the earth’s people as the transgressors of the everlasting covenant, the first one is the only candidate: the Noahic covenant.

What did they violate? Previously, God told Noah that blood will be required for those who were murdered. “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:5-6). It could be this. We see the clemency murders are offered, where the murderer is rarely put to death in western society.

It also could be related to the rainbow, the sign of the Noahic covenant. This picture of God’s mercy toward humankind should evoke humility, but it is now a symbol of pride.

Whatever the case may be, these last days are characterized by rejection of God. Seek the Lord while He may be found.